Mobile Computing Device Interface

1. In a communication device, a method for initiating a communication with a destination party, comprising: providing for display a plurality of speed-dial buttons for initiating communication with a plurality of contacts, each speed-dial button assignable to one of a set of communication modes and associated with a contact, the plurality of speed-dial buttons organized into a plurality of banks, each bank comprising at least one speed-dial button and associated with a selectable icon; detecting user activation of a speed-dial button corresponding to a first previously stored handle representing a first communication mode for contacting the destination party associated with the speed-dial button; determining whether at least a second previously stored handle exists representing a second communication mode for the destination party associated with the speed dial button; and responsive to a determination that least a second previously stored handle exists: displaying at least two communication modes for the destination party associated with the speed dial-button, each displayed communication mode corresponding to a communication mode for contacting the destination party using a handle associated with the destination party, receiving user selection of one of the displayed communication modes; and initiating communication with the destination party, using the selected communication mode to contact the destination party.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: responsive to a determination that only one previously stored handle exists: initiating communication with the destination party, using a communication mode associated with the first previously stored handle.

3. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein each speed-dial button comprises a visual indicator of a communication mode associated with the speed-dial button.

4. A user interface for a communication device having a display screen, the user interface comprising: a plurality of on-screen buttons displayed on the display screen, each button assignable to one of a set of communication mode functions and associated with a contact, the plurality of on-screen buttons organized into a plurality of banks displayed on the display screen, each bank comprising at least one on-screen button, and the user interface further comprises controls for navigating between banks, and at least one configuration screen for assigning a button to a function of the set of communication mode functions, wherein each button is activatable to perform the function to which it is assigned in response to a single action, and wherein the set of communication mode functions comprises a speed dial function and at least one non-speed dial function.

5. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein the at least one non-speed dial function comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: launching an application; initiating an email communication to a specified recipient; initiating an SMS communication to a specified recipient; and accessing a web page.

6. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein the user interface is navigable via a switch comprising at least two direction controls and an activation switch.

7. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein the user interface is navigable via a switch comprising at least four direction controls and an activation switch.

8. The user interface of claim 4 , wherein each button comprises a visual indicator of the type of function associated with the button, wherein the visual indicator comprises at least one of a color, an icon, a text label, a pop-up label, a shape, or an outline.

9. The user interface of claim 4 wherein each button comprises a visual indicator of the type of function associated with the button.

10. A method for displaying presence information on a mobile communication device, comprising: receiving an electronic communication associated with a communicating party; determining, from the electronic communication, identification associated with the communicating party; retrieving, in response to the identification, pre-stored contract information corresponding to the communicating party; providing for display plurality of on-screen icons, at least two on-screen communication icon corresponding to a distinct communication mode to respond to the communicating party; retrieving presence information for the communicating party responsive to the received electronic communication; and concurrently with displaying the plurality of on-screen icons, displaying a presence information indicator for the communicating party for each communication mode corresponding to each on-screen icon, the presence information indicator indicating the communicating party's ability to receive data via the communication mode associated with an on-screen icon.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying the indicator within each on-screen button.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying the indicator adjacent to each on-screen button.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying each on-screen button using a color representing the presence information.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying at least of an icon, a text label, or a speed-dial button.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is available to receive a communication via the communication mode.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is online.

17. The method of claim 10 , wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is on the phone.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party has specified a presence state.

19. The method of claim 10 , wherein each on-screen icon comprises a visual indicator of a communication mode.